What's the dress code for women in Morocco, in detail?

Let me set the foundation clearly: there is no law requiring foreign women to dress a particular way in Morocco, and you are not expected to cover your hair. What guides clothing here is culture and courtesy rather than rules. Morocco is a Muslim-majority country where modesty is valued, and dressing respectfully isn't about suppression — it's about blending in, drawing less unwanted attention, and showing the same consideration you'd want a guest to show in your own culture. Get the spirit of it right and you'll feel more comfortable, not less.

The practical principle most women find easy to live by is "cover your shoulders and your knees." Tops that cover the shoulders (or that you can throw a scarf over), and trousers, long skirts or dresses that reach at least the knee, will see you comfortable almost anywhere. Loose, flowing, lightweight clothing in natural fabrics like cotton and linen is the sweet spot — it's modest, it's far cooler than tight or skimpy clothes in the heat, and it doubles as sun protection. Maxi dresses, wide trousers, tunics and long-sleeved-but-light layers are the workhorses of a great Morocco wardrobe.

How strictly you apply this varies by place, and reading the room is the real skill. In cosmopolitan city districts, modern neighbourhoods, tourist areas and on the coast (Marrakech's Gueliz, central Casablanca, Essaouira), you'll see Moroccan women in everything from jeans to Western fashion, and you can dress more freely — shorter sleeves and the like draw little notice. In the old medinas, smaller towns, conservative rural areas and the deep countryside, more coverage is wise and respectful; that's where bare shoulders, very short shorts or low-cut tops feel out of place and attract stares. A simple, breathable scarf in your bag is the single most useful item — it adjusts your modesty level instantly for a mosque courtyard, a rural village or a chilly evening.

A few specifics worth knowing. At mosques and religious sites, cover your shoulders, arms and legs, and have a scarf ready for your head — note that most active mosques in Morocco don't admit non-Muslims at all (the grand Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca being a famous exception that welcomes respectful visitors). At hotel pools, beach resorts and beaches, normal swimwear and bikinis are completely fine — that's expected resort wear and nobody blinks. Public town beaches can be a touch more conservative, so a cover-up walking to and from the water is courteous. And for evenings out in upscale city restaurants, you can absolutely dress up and look chic.

My honest, encouraging takeaway: this is about respect and ease, not anxiety, and you don't need to buy a whole new wardrobe or hide yourself away. Pack loose, light, mostly shoulder- and knee-covering clothes, always carry a versatile scarf, dress a notch more modestly in rural and religious settings, and relax in the cities and at resorts. Do that and you'll move through Morocco comfortably, respectfully and beautifully dressed for the climate too.